Brief History of the MUTCD

Transcription

1 Brief History of the MUTCD 1930s 1920s 1960s Early 1950s Today Gene Hawkins Texas Transportation Institute 1940s

2 The MUTCD There have been 8 editions of the MUTCD

3 MUTCD Comparisons Edition Pages Parts How did we end up with a ~1,000 page document on traffic control devices?

4 Traffic Control Devices Early markers used in the Roman Empire Used on pioneer trails in America Automobile age created new demands Roman empire Colonial America Early 20 th Century

5 Early Traffic Control Devices Need for devices increased with more automobile travel Little coordination between agencies

6 Early Traffic Control Devices The wide variety of devices created the need for uniformity st 1st centerline Michigan st 3-color signal Detroit st electric signal Cleveland

7 1923 Sign Shape Recommendations Mississippi Valley Assoc of St Hwy Dept Number of sides represents hazard level RR Grade Crossing Caution Stop Intersection Directions or Regulations Warning (speed reduction)

8 1924 Sign Color Recommendations National Conference on Street and Highway Safety For signs and signals Red - stop Green - proceed White directions or distance Purple intersection Yellow - caution

9 1925 Joint Board Report Report of of Joint Board on Interstate Highways AASHO led Developed U.S. Highway system Included recommendations for standard signs

10 1927 AASHO Manual Evolved from Joint Board First national manual Rural signs only Title: Manual and Specifications for the Manufacture, Display, and Erection of U.S. Standard Road Markers and Signs Revised 1929 and 1931

11 1927 Signs

12 1930 NCHS Manual Prepared by American Engineering Council Signs, markings, signals, and islands for for urban areas Title: Manual on Street Traffic Signs, Signal and Markings Not Revised

13 1930 Signs

14 Birth of the MUTCD Problems of two manuals led to creation of the MUTCD Joint Committee 1927 Rural Manual 1935 MUTCD 1930 Urban Manual

15 1935 MUTCD First MUTCD (35 & 37 versions) Signs Regulatory white rectangle Warning yellow: diamond, square, circle, octagon Guide white rectangle Markings Used at hazardous locations White, yellow, or black Signals 3-color signal as standard Revised 1939

16 1935 Signs

17 1942 MUTCD Few changes in content Addressed wartime conditions Revised standards addressed: Conservation of materials Blackout traffic control Not Revised

18 Blackout Devices

19 1948 MUTCD Standards used bold text Signs Simplified sign messages Eliminated square signs Added advisory plate Used rounded alphabet Pavement markings Yellow Double center and barrier line White all other applications Stripe/gap ratio: Edge lines not recommended Simplified signal warrants Revised 1954

20 1948 Signs

21 Early Stop & Yield Signs

22 1954 Revision Short document Significant sign changes THRU HWY Became Secondary messages eliminated New Sign

23 1958 AASHO Interstate Manual Created for the new Interstate Highway system New features White on green guide signs Lower case letters Green on white service signs Utilized larger sign sizes Blue service signs added in 1961 revision Revised 1961, 1962, 1970

24 New Interstate Signs

25 1961 MUTCD Federal compliance required Eliminated alternatives New material: Construction traffic control Civil defense signing Freeway guide signing Some symbol signs Edge lines allowed Not Revised

26 1961 Signs

27 1971 MUTCD Complete rewrite DOT ownership New features: Information: school areas Color: orange Shapes: pennant, pentagon International sign influence Many new symbols Revised 8 times Yellow markings for opposing traffic

28 1971 Signs

29 1978 MUTCD Update of 1971 edition Loose leaf (binder) format Individual page revisions New material: RR-hwy grade crossings Bicycle facilities New signs and symbolic alternatives Yellow markings for left side Stripe/gap ratio: Revised 4 times

30 1978 Devices

31 1988 MUTCD Update of 1978 edition Included new revision (#5) Planned to be revised only for safety reasons New material: Recreational/cultural signs Logo signs TODS Revised 7 times

32 2000 MUTCD Current edition Ten years to develop Loose-leaf, paper size New parts Low-volume roads Light-rail Errata #1 Revision #1

33 Signs Not in the 2000 MUTCD

34 Evolution of Selected Devices How today s common devices have evolved

35 Route Markers U.S. Early State highways routes markers had proposed no appear in s national or state affiliation

36 Route Markers U.S. route marker proposed in 1925 Has evolved over time to current appearance

37 Route Markers Interstate Other markers marker added created in 1971 in 1950s

38 Pavement Markings 1910s early use of markings 1930 urban manual Centerline, short radius curve, sight distance 1935 MUTCD White, yellow, or black Centerline used only for specific applications

39 1948 & 1961 MUTCDs % Double stripe design % Triple stripe design 1948 & 1961: White centerline 1948: Edge lines not recommended, 4-6 inches if used 1961: Use on right depended on shoulder Use on left helpful, 2-4 inches wide

40 1971 & Later MUTCDs #Passing No Passing% #No Passing Passing% % #Passing 1971: Yellow for all centerlines White for all edgelines except for divided hwy with narrow median or obstructions 1978: Yellow for left side of travel direction White for lane lines and right edge

41 Work Zone Devices

42 Work Zone Manuals 1955: 1 st draft of national guidelines Mid-1950s: state manuals 1955: PA 1956: NC, GA 1961: new part in MUTCD (Part V) 1971: changed to Part VI, orange signs 1993: published as stand-alone document

43 1948 MEN WORKING Sign shall be used for the protection of men working on the road, or for the protection of traffic MEN WORKING shall be mounted on substantial portable supports, not easily knocked over or blown down, and placed in the center of the road shall not be left up during the lunch period or at night, or on holidays if the road is free from hazard

44 Typical Applications TA p TA 47 p TA 44 TA 9 9TA p p 5360p

45 Work Zone Devices FLAGMAN AHEAD MEN WORKING

46 Sign Retro Evolution Cat s eyes Cat s Eyes

47 Sign Retro Evolution Cat s eyes Button reflectors Button Reflectors

48 Sign Retro Evolution Cat s eyes Button reflectors Beads on paint Exposed lens Enclosed lens Encapsulated lens Microprismatic

49 State MUTCD Use State MUTCD 11 states National MUTCD 23 states State Supplement 16 states

50 National Committee Private organization Provides input to FHWA on the MUTCD Developed draft language for 2000 MUTCD Seven committees R/W signs Temp Traffic Ctrl G/MI signs Grade Crossings Markings Bicycles Signals Over 200 professionals Meet twice a year

51 NUTCD Evolution Joint Committee, 1932, 2 organizations National Joint Committee, 1948, 5 organizations National Advisory Committee, 1972, 10 organizations National Committee, 1980, 17 organizations

52 Additional Resources MUTCD web site MUTCD History ITE Journal articles July, August, November 1992 This presentation MUTCD History

53 Questions